Italy is bracing itself for a clash with the European Commission over its spending plans. On Oct. 15, the Italian government went to Brussels to present its budget proposals, which call for a deficit increase of 2.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 -- significantly higher than the 0.8 percent that the European Union was expecting. The deficit will come as a result of measures such as the introduction of a monthly income of up to 780 euros ($905) for low-income citizens and the lowering of Italy's retirement age. While Rome promises that the measures will generate so much economic growth that Italy's deficit will decrease starting in 2020, Brussels and financial markets are skeptical....
